Experimental Physicist

Magdrive Ltd; Vale of White Horse; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative aerospace company in Harwell is seeking an experimental physicist to enhance thruster technology. Responsibilities include designing and conducting experiments, testing recycling methods, and reporting results. The ideal candidate will possess a PhD or relevant degree paired with industry experience in experimental physics. This position offers a competitive salary, flexible work hours, and comprehensive benefits, including private health insurance and support for home office setup.

Benefits

Salary: £45k – £55k per annum (DOE)

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Private medical insurance

Flexible working hours

Remote working options

Financial support for home office setup

Qualifications

• PhD or Degree in Physics/Engineering with 4 years' experience.
• Experience in conducting and analyzing experiments.
• Practical skills in electronics for experimental design.

Responsibilities

• Conduct experiments to improve performance of thrusters.
• Test refueling of thrusters with recycled propellant.
• Utilize computational analysis tools for result evaluation.

Skills

Problem-solving mindset

Experimental physics

Simulation usage

Electronics knowledge

Python for data analysis

Education

PhD in Plasma Physics or Electric Propulsion

Degree in Physics or Engineering with 4 years' experience

Tools

FEM software (e.g. COMSOL)

Simulation tools (e.g. LTSpice)

Job description

About Magdrive

Magdrive is developing the next generation of spacecraft propulsion. Our cutting‑edge thruster technology promises to deliver unmatched thrust and efficiency, enabling accessibility to new orbits and entirely new industries such as satellite servicing, orbital assembly, and interplanetary transport. We are also starting to develop recycling & refuelling approaches for future spacecraft propulsion.

What you will be doing

• Working with other members of the Experimental Physics team on experiments to investigate and improve the performance of Magdrive thrusters.
• Testing refuelling of the Magdrive thruster with recycled metallic propellant.
• Collaborate with other teams to interpret requirements and plan and conduct experiments to answer their questions.
• Utilising computational analysis tools to analyse results from experiments.
• Interpreting and reporting results from experiments to the team and company.
• Maintaining a tidy, well‑organised laboratory environment and ensuring safe working practices are followed.

What we are looking for

• Essential
  • PhD in Plasma Physics or Electric Propulsion or similar OR Degree in Physics or Engineering and 4 years’ experience applying experimental physics in industry.
  • An enquiring problem‑solving mindset with an appetite for practical experimental work.
  • Experience planning, conducting and analysing results of experiments.
• Desirable
  • Experience of using simulation to support experimental research.
  • Practical working knowledge of electronics to support experimental design.
  • Experience with vacuum systems & optical diagnostics.
  • Experience with Python for computational data analysis and/or hardware control.
  • Knowledge of existing electric propulsion technologies.
  • Experience with pulsed power or high voltage.
  • Experience with simulation tools for electromagnetics (e.g. FEM with e.g. COMSOL) or circuits (e.g. CASTLE or LTSpice).

What we offer

• 💷 Salary: £45k – £55k per annum (DOE)
• 🌴 25 days annual leave + bank holidays, plus long‑service awards (up to 30 days)
• 🏥 Private medical insurance
• ⏰ Flexible working hours
• 💻 Remote working where possible
• 🏡 Financial support for home office setup

Unit 4, Bep0 Building, Thomson Avenue, Harwell Campus, United Kingdom, OX11 0GD.